Knights ends Bulldogs season

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For the last few weeks the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs have held on to that last throw of the dice to keep their 2010 season alive. This afternoon at EnergyAustralia Stadium the dice rolled nothing but snake eyes as they crashed to a 30-6 defeat against a red-hot Newcastle Knights. The Knights continued their attacking touches that saw them rack up a big victory against Manly-Warringah last week to keep their hopes of a finals appearance alive.

The Knights attack was lead by the backline, particularly Cooper Vuna who made massive ground on several occasions. The attack of the Bulldogs was lead by poor execution and bad handling as the side that was feared for their attack just twelve months ago looked like the shadow of that team.

Captain Courageous Kurt Gidley began the point scoring early in the game, playing a rare game in the number seven jersey, powering his way over the line. Gidley also managed to convert from the sideline to extend the lead. From there the game turned into a bit of an arm wrestle as both sides struggled to gain the upper hand in the game. Jarrod Mullen turned the game mid-way through the half as a short ball hit Shannon McDonnell, who ran the length of the field to extend the Knights lead to 12-0. Mullen was involved again to send Isaac De Gois over minutes later, sending Newcastle to their eventual half-time lead of 18-0.

The Bulldogs were facing the same fate they did in Round 1 when they were at unbackable odds, and the second half didn't start well as Cooper Vuna beat Luke Patten to a loose grubber to send the Knights lead to 24-0. With nothing to lose, the Bulldogs started to throw the ball around, but couldn't manage to get on the board. The backline of Newcastle once again chimed in at the hour mark of the game, sending veteran Adam MacDougall crashing over the line.

Bulldog Ben Barba put in a solo effort to finally get Canterbury on the board, but it wasn't enough as Newcastle finished the game with some great attacking pieces, including a disallowed try to Junior Sa'u.

The season of the Knights remains alive, sitting four points outside the top eight. The Bulldogs sadly are gone for the year, after so much promise. The match ended with promising young star Ben Barba injured, creating more bad news for Bulldogs fans.